There was a time when people asked if they could run a successful ecommerce WordPress website. Mainly used for blogs, WordPress has come a long way to become a viable platform for online stores. The best way to run a WordPress online store is with WooCommerce.

What’s WooCommerce?

WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin, available for free. It allows you to run your online store with streamlined proficiency. According to recent statistics, nearly 37% of all online stores are now WooCommerce stores. Using this basic plugin you can sell a diverse array of products online. WooCommerce contains almost all the necessary features you need to effectively run an eCommerce website. These features mainly include calculating shipping costs, international customer management, management of inventory, coupon management, etc.

If you have a WooCommerce store or are looking to start one, security has to be on top of your list of priorities. Here are the 4 steps to secure your WooCommerce WordPress website.

4 Steps to Secure WooCommerce Online Store

1. Pick Your Host Wisely

When you create a website you need a host that provides dedicated server for your website to be available on the internet. Your host should be able to provide you with topnotch web security features and options related your WooCommerce website. If nothing, they must provide you with frequent backups of your data. Moreover, they have to make automatic updates of any software on their server to ensure the security of your website. Lastly, they should have a system to isolate a website from other websites in case the website gets hacked or is compromised in any way.

2. Always Create Strong Passwords

Weak and commonly used passwords are the main reason behind most hacks and cyber attacks. It is important that you create strong passwords for your WordPress logins. The best way to secure your login is to use plugins like Google Authenticator and All in One WP Security and Firewall. Not only do these plugins help you create strong passwords but Google Authenticator adds an extra step to your login by asking for a new 6-digit PIN.

3. Install SSL Certificates on Your Website

To make your website safe for yourself and safer for your users, install SSL certificates. SSL stands for secure sockets layer, which basically encrypts the information being exchanged between users and your web server. This keeps unauthorized intruders to hack the site or attempt to steal vital customer credit card data. Not to mention Google starts labeling HTTP websites as “not secure” in October. Only the HTTPS secure websites will appear safe to all users.

4. Have Your Own Backup

It does not matter how high-tech and reliable the backup solution from your host service is, you have to create your own backups too. What if your host is breached through a malware attack? You will risk losing all your data. This is the reason why you must always have your own backup software. You have to bear in mind that in case of ransomware attacks, the only way for you not to pay them a ransom is by resorting to your backups. If you don’t have any backups, you “have to” pay the ransom.

Bottom Line

When you’re running an online store, you’re connected to the world, which is why you must forget that you won’t ever be targeted by cyber criminals. Many online store owners think their startups are too low on sales to attract any cyber attacks. Little do they know that ransomware attacks don’t even spare regular online surfers and whatnot.